Bronica SQ-B User manual

E><Ei coMPLETEcAMERA

Thankyou for purchasing
the BronicaSQ-B
camera
kit.
Based on the technology and experienceacquired through the evolution of the
BronicaSQSeries,
the SQ-B
is a manually
operating
2114X2114 in.( 6 X 6 cm)
single-lens-reflexcamera built to satisfy all the needs of professional
photographers who works with hand-heldexposure meters,studio and/or portable
electronic flash units and various types of accessories. Among the many
professional features of the Bronica SQ-B is flash synchronization at all shutter
speeds, up to the fastest 1/500sec.,which is one of the greatest advantage of the
lens-shuttersingle-lens-reflexcamera.
The following instructions are for the basic operations of the SQ-B, Although
instructions following are based on a standard camera accessories provided with
this kit,the actualchoice of lenses,
film backs and finders from the collection of
Bronica system accessories is left to the discretion of the photographer, who
should choosewhat is suitable
for thetype of assignmentcontemplated.
To obtain the best results from your Bronica SQ-B,please read this instruction
manualcarefullybeforeusingthe camera.
By thoroughly familiarizingyourself with the camera before use, you should be
able
to handlethe camera
properlyand maintainit in good working conditionfor a
longer period of time.
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*
Contents
*'
Specifications
of
IheBRONICASQ-B ....2
OperationalParts
of
theBRONICA
SQ-B......4
1.Loading
theBattery.... ....... 7
2.BatteryChecking ........8
3. Attachment
andRemoval
of FilmBacks
....8
4. Construction
ofFilmBack. ....10
5.
Film
Loading .
..... 10
6. FilmType Indicator
Frame. ... .14
7. Film
Advance
and
Shutter
Cocking...... .14
8.
RemarkonExposure... ......14
9.ExposureCounter.... .......15
10.Film
Unloading ... 15
11.
Setting
the
Shutter
Speed
Dial
. .... 15
12.
Shutter
Release
Button ..... .16
13.
Time
(T)
Exposure
... .......17
14.
Exchanging
Lenses ....18
15.Interchanging
Finders ...... .19
16.Waist-level
Finder
and
InterchangingMagnifiers. ....19
17.SettingtheAperture
18.Focusing
Adjustments. .. .....22
19.Distance
Scale
andDepth-of-Field
Scale...23
20.InfraredPhotography ....23
21.FlashPhotography... ...24
22.
MultipleExposures.
.. ,..25
23.
Mirror
Lock-Up ....25
24.Interchanging
Focusing
Screens ....28
25. Removal
andAttachment
of
the
Film
Winding
Crank
26.Attachment
of
the
NeckStrap ... ....
30
27.FactsabouttheBattery.... ...30
28.Pointers
onShooting ....31
29.CareoftheBronica
SQ-B .....32
,30.
Depth-of-FieldTable. ....33

Specificationsof the BRONICA
SQ-B
Type
Framesize
Film
Lens
Filtersizes
Lensmount
Focusing
Shutter
Lens aperture
Filmwinding
Cablerelease
socket
Multiple
exposure
Mirrorlock-up
6 cmX 6 cmformat,lens-shutter typesingle-lens-reflex
camera;withinterchangeable
lens,film
back,
finderandfocusing
screensystems;without
exposuremeter
coupling
mechanism
to acceptmeter-
relatedaccessories.
55.6mmX 55.6mm
120rollfilm
withstandardfilmBack
SQ/B120;exclusive
accessoryfilmbacks areprovided foruseof
220rollfilm,135
cartridge-loadedfilmandPolaroid
Land
pack
film.
fnterchangeable
type. StandardlensZenzanon-PS/B
80 mm,t/2.8;
6 elements
in 5 groups;
multi-
fayer
anti-reflection
coated;50.7" angleof view;tl22 minimumaperture;intermediate
aperture
settings;helicalfocusingfrominfinity
to80cm.
67-mmdiameteron Zenzanon-PsiB
80 mm lens.
Exclusivefour-clawBronica
SQbayonetmount.
Helical
focusing
systembuilt
into
eachlens;angle
offocusing171" Ior
standardlens.
Electronically
controlledSEIKO#0 between-lensleafshutter;
shutterspeeds8 sec.to 1/500
sec.;
withoutintermediate
settings;
mechanicalcontrol1/500
second;withshutterrelease
lock.
Fullyautomatic
instantreopeninglens
aperture;equal-distant
aperturescale
graduation
inhalf-stops
increments;
depth-of-f
ield
preview.
Film
winding
crank;onecompletefonvardrevolution
orratchetedwinding
action.
ISOStandard.
Multiple
exposure
possible
withlever
oncameramainbody.
Mirrorlock-up
possible
withswitchlever
onthesideofcamera
body;singleorcontinuous
mirror
lock-
up
shooting
possible.
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Specificationsof the BRONICA
SQ-B
' Filmback
Finder
m*s
Daylightloading
interchangeable
type;exclusivefilm backslor 120,220 and 135 rollfilms and
Polaroid
Land
pack
films.The
SQ-Bdoesnotcouple withmeter
whenfinderswithbuilt-inexposure
meter
areattached.
lnterchangeable
finder
system;
94 o/o ol actual
fieldof view (remains
unchanged
whenfinderis
exchanged).Exposure
meterincorporatedfinder
unitdoesnotactivate whenattached.
Finder
screen Interchangeable
type;standardmicroprism/split-image
screen;optional
screensare split-image,
microprism,matte,
grid-lines,
microprism/split-image
(for
135film)
andmatte
(for
135film).
Flashsynchronlzation X-setting
(up
to 1/500 sec.)withISO
Standardcontactterminal.
Battery checking Red-colored
LED lightsup in frontcenterarea, outsidescreenarea,when bafterycheckbuttonis
Battery depressed,LED
alsodoublesas
shutterclosingsignal.
Single
6-voltsilver-oxidebattery
(4SR44)
oralkaline-manganese
battery
gLR44).
Dimensions 92mmwideX 109mmhighX 179
mmlong
(with
standard
lens,
FilmBack
SQ/B
120
andWaist-level
Weight Finder
S/B).
1,460
grams
(with
standardlens,Film
BackSQ/B120
and
Waist-level
Finder
S/B).
-Specifications
are
subjecttochangewithout
prior
notice.
6,1{"''js )
l
I
I
i
3l

OperationalParts
of the BRONICA
SQ-B
Flash
synchsocket
Aperturering
Depth-of-field
scale
Distance
scale
Lensalignment
dot
Waist-levelfinder
Focusinghood
catch
Shutterspeeddial
Shutter
speedscale
Magnilier
Back
cover
release
button
(left)
Shutter
release
button
Shutter
release
botton
locking
ring
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Operational
Partsof the BRONICA
SQ-B
Filmwinding
crank
Neckstrapeyelet
Manualfilmwinder
Shutter
release
button
lockingring
MirrorLock-up
switch
lever Cable
release
sockel
Film
olane
mark
Darkslideslit
Neckstrapeyelet
Depth-of-tield
preview
lever
Lens
release
button Batterycheckbutton
Filmbackreleasebutton
)

OperatlonalParts
of the BRONICA
SQ-B
Shuttersoeed
dial
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Loadlngthe Battery
The electronically-controlled
shutter
will not work without
loading
the
battery. The shutter will be
mechanically
controlled
whenthe
batteryis not loaded
and will be
released
at 1/500 sec.,regardless
of the settingon the shutterspeed
dial. Use one 6-volt
silver-oxide
batteryor alkaline-manganese
battery.
. The batterymay be obtained
at
any photographic
equipment
or
electrical
appliance
shop. A. Depress
the battery
chamber
button
and,at the sametime,move
the battery
chamber
coverin the
arrow-indicated
direction. The
coverwill
comeoffeasily.
B. Coincidethe plus(+)and minus
(-) markson the batterywith similar
polarity
indications
in the battery
chamber. Then,
pushinthe battery.
Insert
the battery
chambercover
into the "BATTERY"
end first and
then move
the coverin the other
direction(opposite
to the arrow
indication)
until
itlocks.
- The shutterwillbe mechanically-
controlled
(at 1/500sec.) when the
batteryis loaded
withpolarity marks
reversed.

lf a red-colored
battery
checkLED
lights
up outsidethe focusing
screen
area
(central
front
of finder),
whenthe battery
checkbuttonis
pressed,
the batteryis loaded
properly
andthereis sufficient
power
foroperations.
. lftheLED
doesnotlight
up,
(1)
thebatteryisnot
loaded
properly
or,
(2)
thebatteryiscompletely
drained
andshould
beexchanged.
8
Thefilm
backisa film
chamber
that
can be attached
or detached
at any
time,
permitting
rapid
changeoffilm
types even during shooting
sessrons.
The main
camera
bodyand film
back are fully coupled,
upon
connection.
therefore,
alwaysturn
thefilmwinding
crankcompletely
one time,
upon
attachingthe film
back. lf winding
is notpossible,
all
preparations
for taking
pictures
have been completed. But, if
winding
ispossible,
rotating
thefilm
winding
crankuntilit
stopswill
automaticallytake care of the
incomplete
actions,whether
the
shutternot fully
cockedor film not
fully
advanced. Thus,it is always
possible
to choosethe film
type
most
suitedfor the shot,
even
midwayin
theroll.
Additionalfilm
backsincluding
a
Polaroidfilm
back
are available
optionallyin6X6,6X4.5and
35-mm
formats.
* Referto the instructions
supplied
withFilm
Back
SQ 135for proper
useofthat
particular
film
back.
- The accessory
FilmBack
SQ/B
120doesnot havethefilm
soeed
and exposurecompensation
dials.
This
filmback
can be attached
to
other
SQcamerasbutthe
exposure
meter,if
applied,willnot
operate.
- lt ispossible
to attach
a film back
incorporating
the film speed and
exposurecompensation
dialsto the
main
camera
bodyof the SQ-B
but
finders
withbuilt-in
exposuremeters
willnotactivate.
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Attachment
andRemoval of FilmBacks
A. To attachthe film backto the
maincamera
body,simply
insert
the latchesat the upperend of the
film back into the attachment
openings
at the upperend of the
main
camerabody. Then,press
the lower
end of the film back
against
the main
bodyuntilit locks
securely.
B.To remove
thefilmbackfromthe
maincamerabody,insert
the dark
slide
into
the dark slideslit.as
illustrated,
withthe O mark
on the
darkslideatthetop
end.
Pushit
all
the
wayin.
C. Depress the film backrelease
buttonandthe lowerend of thefilm
backcan be removed,as illust-
rated. Simplyshiftthefilm
backup
slightlyand
pull
itaway.
. The dark slidecannot
be with-
drawnfromthe film
back
when
the
film
back
isdetachedfromthemain
camerabody.

Attachment and Removal of
FllmBacks
' Thedark
slidemust
bewithdrawn
from
its
slit,uponattachment
of the
film
backto the main
body,as
otherwisethe shutter
cannot
be
released.Furthermore,
thereis
dangerofthefilm
backaccidentally
becoming
detached
fromthe main
body,
shouldthe
darkslide
beleftin
its
slit
while
the
camerais being
carried.Therefore,
makeit
a rule to
withdraw
thedark
slide
promptly
uponattaching
thefilmbackto the
main
body.
A. Open the back cover by
squeezing
the back
coverrelease
buttontoward
each
other,then
remove,
the
film
holder.
* Note,whenyou load
the firstroll
after
openingthe camera
package,
anemptyfilm
spool
isinthebottom
spoolholder
and
you
donot needto
transfer
theemptyfilm
spoolfrom
thetopto thebottomfilmholder
as
instructed
inthe
nextcolumn.
The film backconsists
of a film
holder
which
will
be loaded with
a
rollof filmand a film backframe
which
completely
enclosesthe film
holder
andshieldsitfrom
light.
. The Film
Back
SQ/B
120
is for
exclusive
useof 120rollfilm.
For
loading
220 roll film, use the
optionalFilm
Back
SQ-i220.
- Totake
other
format
oictures
such
as 6 X 4.5-cm,
24 X 35-mm,24 X
54-mm
or Polaroid
pictures,
use
exclusivefilm
backs.
(See attached "Bronica
SQ-System
Accessories"
.)
10
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FllmLoadlng
6
G
@
EO
'X-
@t
o
o
o
B. Remove
the emptyfilm spool
pre-inserted
in the top spoolholder
ofthefilm
holder
bypushing
upthe
spoolin the arrow-indicated
A
direction.
Insert
the empty spoolto
thebottom
spoolholder
by pressing
out the left-handbottomshaft and
aligning
thespool
keyhote
with
the
right-hand
shaft.
Inseft
a fresh film
spoolinto
the
top
spoolholder
aligning
theright-hand
key hole
of the filmspoolwiththe
top right
shaftthen,
close
the left-
hand
shaft
to securely
hold
thefilm
soool.
C. Afterloading
the freshfitmspool
properly,
drawout the leading
end
ofthefilm
andturn
itacross
the
film
pressure
plate(as illustrated).Run
it down andturn it overto the take-
up spool. Insert
the leading
end
into
the slit
of the take-up
spool
and
wind
slightly
until
securety
engaged.
- The inside
black
surface
of the
leader
mustfaceout whenrunning
across
the
pressure
plate.
D. Rotate
the film
back
winding
crank
on the right
side
of thefilm
insert
in the direction
indicated
by
the arrow,
while checking
the
advancing
film.
When the starting
point,or arrow
mark,
is aligned
withthe triangular
V start-mark
on the top leftside of
thefilminsert,
stoprotation.
11

FilmLoading
E.Thestarting
point,
orarrow
mark
of the unexposed
film,can also be
aligned
withthestart-mark,with
the
film insertloaded
in the film back.
Simply
rotatethefilmwindingcrank
on the maincamerabody. This
methodis oreferred sincethere
will
be coupling
withthe maincamera
body mechanism, from the
beginning.
- lf the film is not advanced
when
thefilmwindingcrank
isrotated,the
film holderis not inserted
properly
(A)and/orthe main
camera
body
may be set for multiple exposures
(B). In the latter
case,
returnthe
multipleexposure
lever to an
uprightor vertical
position.
(See"22,MultipleExposures"on
Page
25.)
F. Close the back cover, by
pressing
itfirmlyagainstthebaseof
the filmback,
as illustrated.The
backcover
willautomaticallyclose
and
lock.
The same operation will closethe
backcover
whenthe filmbackis
detached
fromthemainbody.
12
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Film
Loading
120rollfilm
Starting mark
220rollfilm
Dotted t-Startino
line mark -
G. Upon
loading
thefilm,rotate
the
filmwinding
crank
until
it stopsto
place
the first frameinto place
for
taking
the picture. The exposure
counter
will
also
change
from
"S"
to
"1",
while
theshutterwill
alsobe
cocked.
H. The manualfilmwinderis used
for
advancing
thefilm,when
the
film
backis detachedfromthe main
bodyfor film loading. The manual
filmwinder
can continueto rotate,
evenwhenthefilmis
setfor
the
first
exposure. lt should
be rotated 2 or
3 timesmore,
in orderto take up
anyslackintheloadedfilm.
. When loading220 rollfilm in the
FilmBackSQ-i220,do not mistake
the dottedline
beforethe arrow
markfor
the
starting
mark.
13

Upon
loading
thefilm
tear
offthe
end flap from the empty fitm
package
and insert
it in the film
type
indicator
frame. This
willhelp
you keeptrackof the film loaded
in
thefilm
back,
evenwhen
two
or
more
film
backs
are usedwith
differentfilms.
- TheBronica
SQ-Bdoesnotincor-
porate
anexposure
meter.
Furthermore,
it
willnot
couplewith
a
finderincorporating
an exposure
meter.
. lt is possible
to attach
and view
through
a finderthat incorporates
an exposure
meter
but the meter
willnot
beactivated.
- lt is possible
to attachand take
photographs
with a film back that
incorporates
an ISOSettingDial
but
the ISO
settingwillnotbeeffective.
. The shutter
speedand aperture
must be determined
with an
independent
exposure
meter
or
obtained
withanother
camera
with
built-in
metering
system.
Rotating
the filmwinding
crank
completely
one time,in the forward
direction,willadvance
the film
one
frame
and,
at the sametime,
cock
theshutter,
withthewinding
action
stopping
automatically.
On the
otherhand,short,rapid
strokes,
up
to an accumulated
fullrotation.
will
also
dothe
job.
- Makesurethat"N"on the mirror
lock-up
switchleveris set opposite
the index
when
taking
pictures
which
donot require
mirrorlock-up.
14
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The FilmBack SQ/B 120 inctuded
in the kittakes12 pictures
on one
rollof film. The exposure
counter
begins
at"S"
(Start),
and
asthefilm
is advanced
to the first
frame it
displays
"1".The
counter
advances
with each exposure
and proceeds
through
numerical
sequence
to an
orange
number
"12",
afterwhich
the
counter
displays
anextended
stripe
alsoin orange,
indicating
theroll
is
finished.
Whenyou usethe SQ-i220 Fitm
Backwhichtakes24 pictures,
read
above
descriptions
replacing
the
number
"12"
wilh"24".
Aftercompleting
exposing
one roll
of film (12 exposures),
continue
winding
untilthe leader paper
is
completely
woundup,or approx-
imately
8 fullturns
of the advance
crank. Then,
openthe backcover
and
take
outthefilm
holder.
Takeout thetake-up
spoolfromthe
film holder,
while
holding
the
exposed
film
so that it will
not
unwind.
Sealthe
exposed
film.
The number
on the shutter
speed
scaleindicates
the set shutter
speed. For
example
"8S"
is8 sec.,
"2S"
is 2 sec.,
"2"is 1/2
sec.
and
"500"
is 1/500
sec. Intermediate
speed
settings
arenotavailable.
Shutterspeedsettingrangeon the
Bronica
SQ-Bis from8 sec., "8S",
upto 1/500
sec."500"
and does not
include
B (bulb)
and T (time).
Installation
of the PS lenses
other
thanthe PS/B80 mm allowsfor "T'
settings.
( See "13Time (T) Exposure"
on
page
17.)
15

Settlng
the Shutter Speed Dlal
- The shuiler speedsettingcan be
changedbeforeorafter
film
winding
operation.
. The shutter
is released
at 1/500
sec.,regardlessof the settings
whenthe batteryis not loaded,or
battery
poweris insufficientfor
normalshutteroperation.
Depressthe shutter
release
button
witha smooth,
gentle
action.Donot
force
or
jerk.
- Followingthe shutterrelease,a
red-coloredLED will light up
momentarilyinthefrontcentralarea
of thefinderandwillindicatethat
the exposure
has beencompleted.
Carefullyobservethis red LED,
especiallywhena slow
shutter
speed
is released.Do notwind
the
film
beforethe redLEDlights upor
you willforcefullyterminatethe
camera operationbefore it is
comoleted.
The shutterblades will
close
and
therewillbe under-exposure
if the
filmwinding
crankis accidentally
rotatedbefore
the exposureis
completed,as inthe caseof a slow
shutterspeedsetting. In this case,
the next frame may also be
exposed
and resultin an improper
exposureaswell.
. Althoughthe batterywill not be
drainedby an accidental
shutter
release
buttondepression,
it is
strongly
recommendedthat you
lockthe shutter releasebuttonby
rotatingthe locking ring and
coincide
theorange dotto "L" when
16
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Shutter Release Button
camerais not in use to prevent
accidental
shutter
release.
- Theshutter
release
button
willnot
be operable
in such cases listed
below as a part of camera's
safety
measure to prevent
improper
cameraoperations.
1.
Shutter
release
buttonislocked.
2. Dark
slide
isinseded.
3. Filmisnot advanced.
(Same
when
exposurecounter
is
between
"S"
and
"1".)
4. Shutter isnot
cocked.
5. Lensis not attached
properly.
(Same
withautomaticextension
tubes,too.)
6. Lensrelease
button
is de-
pressed.
7. Allframes
(i.e.,
12frames
for
120 rollfilm and 24 tor 220 roll
film)have
beenexposed.
Timeexposureis notpossible with
the PS/B
80 mm lens suppliedwith
the
SQ-Bcamera
kit.
When one of otherZenzanon-PS
lensesis attached,time exposures
can be made with the time
exposure lever on the lens,
regardless
of the settingon the
shutter
soeedscale.
A. First,
cockthe shutterwiththe
film
windingcrank
andthen
pull
up
the time exposure lever lock
release.
B. Slide the timeexposure lever
and
release
theshutter,whena red-
colored
"T" is exposedon the lens
barrel. The shutterwill stay open
until
thetime
exposureleveris
movedin the oppositedirection,
exposingthe letter
"A",
whichwill
closetheshutter.
- Exceptfor
timeexposures,always
shiftthetimeexposurelever
sothat
the letter
"A"
is visible
on the lens
barrel
and keeothe timeexoosure
lever
lockrelease
oushed
in allthe
way.
17